SATSUMA, FL (11/3) - An evening rainstorm delayed the show at Putnam County Speedway; however, it couldn't dampen the fans' enthusiasm nor the drivers' will to race. The reward for all who rode out the wet stuff was one of the best shows the speedway has put on all year as many races came down to the wire as to who finished where in the top five.
Even in a night where all the races were stellar, one race stood above the others in excitement. The open wheel modifieds gave the fans their money's worth as 19 cars came to life at the green flag. Polesitter Robbie Hager looked to have the entire field covered as he built a substantial lead while the rest of the pack battled for positions. A mid-race caution tightened up the pack and changed the complexion of the race as Hager suddenly found Marion Sizemore directly behind him. The duo continued their fight for supremacy throughout the remaining laps. Hager was faster on open track, but Sizemore had the edge through traffic. With two laps to go, both cars got hung up in traffic and Sizemore appeared to finally get a break on Hager. Hager made a solid move on the backstretch using another lapped car as a barrier which proved to be the difference. Hager won with Sizemore directly behind. Robby Barris had a very good third place run not far from the leaders. Kenny Blair and Chris Hammond followed.
No dull moments in the Pure Stock race either as Ken Durham won another the hard way. Hardy Jarvis led the early laps until Durham overtook him on the inside. L. J. Klemons made steady progress from deep in the pack to run down Durham. Klemons made a pass late in the race and appeared to be on his way to victory when a lapped car tangled with him one turn away from the checkers. Durham was also involved yet recovered to pass Klemons and take his second win in a row. Klemons limped across for second, Jarvis was third, Karen Moon was fourth, and Floyd Martin Jr. was fifth.
Hobby Stocks slugged their way through their 20-lap main. Ronnie Soltis outgunned George Richards on the start and was never seriously challenged as he cruised to victory. With the win Soltis clinched the points championship in the Hobbies. Richards held off Dave Dowling Jr. for second and Bobby Gigon nipped Eddie Holton at the wire for fourth.
Street Stocks ran a hard-fought yet caution-free feature that saw points champion Kenny Hall take the win over a charging Toby Sims. Mitch McCoy was a distant third followed by Richard Adams and J. O. Nobles in the borrowed 16R machine.
Nobles rebounded from his fifth place run in Streets to whomp 'em all in Limited Late Models. Ronnie Grubb has made considerable improvement in his Mustang and looked strong all night as he was the best of the rest. Jeff Henry did well in his PCS debut with a third place finish. Bill Kopka lost a little of his points lead by finishing fourth but still maintains a healthy advantage over Nobles going into the last week of points racing. Jeff Bagent had a great run in an underfunded car to come in fifth and beat some higher dollar machinery.
Mickey Leth won the Mini Stock feature in convincing fashion. Last week's feature Jake Hartley had to settle for second as he had no ammunition for the leader. A six-pack of cars sliced and diced for the remaining spots. When the cuttin' was done Colt Taylor finished third ahead of Larry Mickler and Mike Gibbs.
This Saturday will see the culmination of the 2001 points season at Putnam with a double points and double purse event. A full card of heats and features will be on tap as will be the antics of Speedo the Clown. Grandstand gates open at 5 PM and the first green flag drops at 6:30.
